Baltimore Orioles top prospect Jackson Holliday may have had a quiet debut, but since returning to the big leagues he has been on a historic tear. After dominating the minors and putting up ridiculous numbers in spring training, baseball’s top prospect struggled in his first stint in the majors – recording just two hits in 34 at-bats and striking out 18 times. Holliday was optioned back to Triple-A Norfolk to regroup and make adjustments in a less pressurized environment.
Holliday spent the next three months in Norfolk batting .257/.426/.457 with eight homers before taking over as Baltimore’s everyday second baseman. Kicking off his redemption tour the only way the consensus number-one prospect knows how, launching a grand slam to Eutaw Street.
Since returning in late July, the 20-year-old second baseman has slashed .375/.444/.917 with four homers and 10 RBI. Holliday has stepped up for the Orioles at exactly the right time, and on Wednesday, crushed a two-run bomb deep to right field giving Baltimore the lead over Toronto. Jackson, son of seven-time All-Star Matt Holliday, has three homers in his last three games and four since July 31st. Holliday’s seventh-inning homer didn’t just lead to the Orioles defeating the Toronto Blue Jays and tying the New York Yankees for the division lead – it made history.
At 20 years, 247 days, Jackson Holliday is the youngest American League player to hit a home run in three consecutive games. He’s one of 14 players in MLB history age 20 or younger to homer in at least three straight contests. Ronald Acuña Jr. holds the record at five games, while Miguel Cabrera is second with four consecutive games. Since Acuña and Cabrera both played for National League teams, Holliday could break the AL record by homering on Thursday.
“Oh my word! That ball’s out to Saskatchewan!”
MLB’s No. 1 prospect Jackson Holliday becomes the youngest player in AL history to homer in three straight games (20 years, 247 days) with this 424-foot shot for the @Orioles: pic.twitter.com/40s3aS3nTA
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) August 8, 2024
Orioles Rookie Jackson Holliday on Historic Tear In Second Major League Call-Up
Holliday did not look like himself in those 10 games in April, his bat-to-ball skills and plate discipline virtually disappeared. In his first 36 plate appearances, Holliday struck out in half of them and walked just two times. In Norfolk, Holliday adjusted his mechanics and swing, improving his ability to hit high-velocity fastballs and adapt to breaking balls.
“It translates, being in a better position to hit,” Holliday said. “I’m starting to see the ball a little deeper and allowing myself to go the other way. Which allows me to see the ball for a longer time.”
Holliday is 3-for-11 with seven RBI in three games against the Blue Jays, but all three hits were home runs. He credits his new approach and his improved discipline at the plate for his historic home run streak. Holliday is currently tied for the fourth-most home runs in Orioles franchise history in a player’s first 17 career games. Having hit three home runs in a six-game span, Holliday is Baltimore’s third player 21 or younger to do so.
#Orioles players who have hit 3+ home runs over a 6-game span in a season before turning 21 years old:
Jackson Holliday (‘24)
Manny Machado (‘12, ‘13)
Boog Powell (‘62)pic.twitter.com/rS1QxzNqri— Jake Rill (@JakeDRill) August 7, 2024
Jackson said he’s feeling “a whole lot more comfortable” in his current big league stint than he did his first. “Obviously being able to control my nerves and the situation a little bit better this time around. Not overswinging and staying in my zone. Having a swing and approach kind of back to where I trust and am able to get my swing off.”
Ben McDonald said it best, Jackson Holliday has been “hotter than a pepper sprout” and, despite his age, he can be successful in the majors.
Photo Credit: © Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
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